tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64964926145736760982018-08-04T00:26:41.279-07:00Paper Heart CameraInspire me.Chelsey - The Paper Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658465271130715589noreply@blogger.comBlogger339125PaperHeartCamerahttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-89024678032580799502012-10-15T04:00:00.000-07:002012-10-15T04:00:02.150-07:00Fun Edits With PicMonkeyI wanted to share this great site for people who don't have Photoshop.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">PicMonkey</a> is a FREE online photo editing site and you don't even have to sign up to use it!<br /><br />If you want a "clean edit" first, Stephanie showed how to do one in PicMonkey <a href="http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-clean-edit-picmonkey-tutorial.html">here</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIaE5p6CvjY/UG3G7RrxNbI/AAAAAAAALXM/R5Jnl0N_YlA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-04+at+10.21.17+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIaE5p6CvjY/UG3G7RrxNbI/AAAAAAAALXM/R5Jnl0N_YlA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-04+at+10.21.17+AM.png" /></a></div>First upload your photo to <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">PicMonkey</a>. Then click on the beaker symbol on the left (circled in red). <br /><br />Now it's time to have some fun!&nbsp; There are some great actions to use and all of them are customizable or you can cancel the action if you decide you don't like it.<br /><br />Here are some of my favorites:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah14XlhrjN8/UG3Ioiq99GI/AAAAAAAALXU/wNgWfvCq0G4/s1600/DSC_0043ed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah14XlhrjN8/UG3Ioiq99GI/AAAAAAAALXU/wNgWfvCq0G4/s1600/DSC_0043ed1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Cross Process" at 50% fade on green.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Rx46ph1Bc/UG3JdRnh52I/AAAAAAAALXc/bD2TsfLC0hI/s1600/DSC_0043ed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Rx46ph1Bc/UG3JdRnh52I/AAAAAAAALXc/bD2TsfLC0hI/s1600/DSC_0043ed2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Tranquil" at 0% fade then "Dusk" at 50% fade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9KrsCrtN2Y/UG3KTdyf_-I/AAAAAAAALXk/H6ZOAdNip-4/s1600/DSC_0043ed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9KrsCrtN2Y/UG3KTdyf_-I/AAAAAAAALXk/H6ZOAdNip-4/s1600/DSC_0043ed3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Polaroid Film" at 65% fade then "Boost" at 20% strength. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c29Ne4gsmzs/UG3LfnJ9p5I/AAAAAAAALXs/zqIwmFaCSck/s1600/DSC_0043ed4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c29Ne4gsmzs/UG3LfnJ9p5I/AAAAAAAALXs/zqIwmFaCSck/s1600/DSC_0043ed4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Focal Zoom" with circle around his face then "Time Machine" Norma at 35% fade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSIzX83hlhM/UG3NLQFl1RI/AAAAAAAALX0/ayb8C6V_g94/s1600/DSC_0043ed5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSIzX83hlhM/UG3NLQFl1RI/AAAAAAAALX0/ayb8C6V_g94/s1600/DSC_0043ed5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Black and White" at 0% fade , "Boost" at 50% strength and then "Urbane" at 50% fade. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's really easy to play around with each effect and come up with a totally unique and fun picture.&nbsp; Make sure to hit "apply" after each edit if you like it then when you are completely done to hit "save" above your picture.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And just for fun, I used their Halloween edits to make Hudson into a zombie and me into a vampire!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Ecr3RyMYU/UG3P3-DcQhI/AAAAAAAALYI/Gp9RrwLsjMw/s1600/Halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Ecr3RyMYU/UG3P3-DcQhI/AAAAAAAALYI/Gp9RrwLsjMw/s1600/Halloween.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Summer Crosbie</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.crosbiecrew.blogspot.com/">Crosbie Crew</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/icLU2MeWwcY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13198146206685666189noreply@blogger.com14http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/10/fun-edits-with-picmonkey.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-37010197410087853842012-10-14T08:27:00.000-07:002012-10-14T08:28:29.882-07:00Show & Tell: Tiny<div style="text-align: center;">Show:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-il2IbioWYXU/UHmTlNb0DiI/AAAAAAAALgI/z-baoVQiKxw/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-il2IbioWYXU/UHmTlNb0DiI/AAAAAAAALgI/z-baoVQiKxw/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tell: Tiny surfers in Laguna Beach.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next weeks theme is City Lights. You can see all the other themes <a href="http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2009/10/show-and-tell-photo-challenges.html">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=201986&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/3JNTwIMleeQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13198146206685666189noreply@blogger.com3http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/10/show-tell-tiny.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-39576257429480451322012-09-26T22:36:00.000-07:002012-09-26T22:36:57.826-07:00Fall Facebook Timeline Cover Freebies!<h2 style="text-align: center;">Just a little Fall happy for you all today!</h2><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoy it!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let me know if you use it.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.box.com/s/tycj2h65whqmuoxfy5cp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHJoAgtXlU0/UGPhsaW5NnI/AAAAAAAAAF0/uVPb25eSARE/s1600/facebook+cover+sample+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click to download psd file.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.box.com/s/ud0u2d83plgi3fugbjzo" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVVwz0xDvdY/UGPhtDWoVDI/AAAAAAAAAF8/NPY18izjl4o/s1600/facebook+cover+sample.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click to download psd file<br />this text is customizable!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="color: #cccccc;">To personalize in photoshop drag and drop your photos above the photo layer. Then "ctrl alt g" if the photo does not insert into the circle. Then "crtl t" to resize to fit!&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;">You can find me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/stephaniesclark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/stephaniesclark" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.instagrid.me/stephaniesclark" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, or <a href="http://www.behindthecameraanddreaming.com/" target="_blank">my Blog</a>! &nbsp;</span>-Stephanie</h3><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/FXjYWa_VwDI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Stephanie Clarkhttps://plus.google.com/109602470693386893339noreply@blogger.com5http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/fall-facebook-timeline-cover-freebies.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-61034123452606689692012-09-23T00:00:00.000-07:002012-09-23T00:00:03.156-07:00Show & Tell : Trails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Show:&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hNicbq6B2p4/UF5vTyPma-I/AAAAAAAAAIE/7da59zxq9HQ/s1600/phcDSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hNicbq6B2p4/UF5vTyPma-I/AAAAAAAAAIE/7da59zxq9HQ/s1600/phcDSC_0023.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tell: </b>This was from one of my latest family photo sessions. This is so sweet mama and little boy walking down the trail.</div></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Next weeks theme is Tiny. You can see all the themes <a href="http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2009/10/show-and-tell-photo-challenges.html">here</a>.</blockquote><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=194874&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/66sqbtx8jYo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com5http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/show-tell-trails.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-55911049278629329542012-09-20T06:34:00.000-07:002012-09-20T08:09:30.176-07:00Capturing Fall ColorsSummer has officially come to an end. And as much as I am sad that it went by so quickly, I do love the warm, vibrant colors of autumn and the rich spicy smells of pies baking and pumpkin lattes brewing! I also love the gorgeous landscapes and photographic opportunities waiting just outside my door. Today I'm sharing a few simple tips on capturing those vibrant fall colors in your photos.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QI_JacKqGo/UFqLkcrwuGI/AAAAAAAALpA/llF94tYfI0k/s1600/paperheart1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QI_JacKqGo/UFqLkcrwuGI/AAAAAAAALpA/llF94tYfI0k/s640/paperheart1.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DugMuNl_808/UFqLvK6FkDI/AAAAAAAALpY/58tkvH2w10U/s1600/paperheart5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DugMuNl_808/UFqLvK6FkDI/AAAAAAAALpY/58tkvH2w10U/s640/paperheart5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />1. Any day is a good day to shoot. Don't put your camera away when it's overcast or rainy. Those cloudy skies act like a giant softbox and can be great times to shoot, especially since full sun can result in colors that appear less saturated. And those rainy days are great too. The wetness and clouds can create a dramatic mood in your images. Raindrops can also create great reflections and add interest.<br /><br />2. On sunny days, shoot with the sun to your back. Shooting into the sun will create haze, lower saturation and can result in dark shadows and a loss of detail.<br /><br />3. Adjust your white balance. Check your settings and try different things to see what you get. You may like the result of a warmer image if you try increasing your kelvin number slightly or using the cloudy setting. Some DSLR's have mode settings for landscapes or vibrant subjects. On my Nikon there is a setting for "vivid." Check your manual if you are unsure how to change this.<br /><br />4. Try underexposing just a bit. You'll up your saturation that way, watch your shadows though.<br /><br />5. Look for contrasting colors to make them pop. Golden leaves against a blue sky are gorgeous! Play with different color combinations by moving around to get different angles and compositions.<br /><br />6. Go wide and get close. Sometimes you want a wide sweeping shot to take in a whole forest of trees, but getting close with tiny details on leaves, bark, acorns, etc. can showcase beautiful colors and patterns as well.<br /><br />7. Keep an eye out for reflections. &nbsp;That gorgeous tapestry of leaves will reflect beautifully in calm waters. Lakes, rivers, even puddles work.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqnnxRwHguk/UFqOdsXirYI/AAAAAAAALpo/BWc8iZzlHAA/s1600/paperheart7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqnnxRwHguk/UFqOdsXirYI/AAAAAAAALpo/BWc8iZzlHAA/s640/paperheart7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBwCLYrJxx8/UFqOqRKmTbI/AAAAAAAALpw/UjMV8b50Odg/s1600/paperheart6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBwCLYrJxx8/UFqOqRKmTbI/AAAAAAAALpw/UjMV8b50Odg/s640/paperheart6.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zz0arOQhfFU/UFqLuaiPg4I/AAAAAAAALpQ/VjGD678BbPs/s1600/paperheart3-Recovered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zz0arOQhfFU/UFqLuaiPg4I/AAAAAAAALpQ/VjGD678BbPs/s640/paperheart3-Recovered.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">These are just a few simple tips to get you started.</div><div style="text-align: center;">What's your favorite way to capture the colors of fall?</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/5nSv3VvVG60" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Melissa Richhttps://plus.google.com/114123942406158225862noreply@blogger.com10http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/capturing-fall-colors.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-86928691524492044142012-09-19T05:00:00.000-07:002012-09-19T05:00:01.400-07:00Adding Texture to Your Photos<div style="text-align: justify;">Adding textures to your photos is a fun way to either spruce up or add drama and character to your already amazing photos. You can make them into works of art and it's really quite simple to do!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;<a href="http://s1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/?action=view&amp;current=1-63.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/1-63.jpg" /></a> I use photoshop to edit my photos, so once I am done with my edit I then add my texture. <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday">Kim Klassen</a> is an amazing place to get textures. And <a href="http://www.mcpactions.com/">MCP Actions</a> has a <a href="http://www.mcpactions.com/actions/try-me/texure-applicator.html">free add texture action</a> on her blog page. It makes it easy and simple!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;<a href="http://s1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/?action=view&amp;current=2-48.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/2-48.jpg" /></a>Once you've added the texture of your liking, I like to mess around with the layer option, i.e. multiply or soft light and opacity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://s1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/?action=view&amp;current=DSC_1428copycopy.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/DSC_1428copycopy.jpg" /></a>And there you go, a vintage look to a fun picture! Super easy!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://s1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/?action=view&amp;current=DSC_1304copy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/DSC_1304copy2.jpg" /></a> When you add texture to photos with faces and people, I like to use a soft brush or eraser to erase some of the texture off the subject. That way it your subject stands out and doesn't have any weird lines or colors on them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;<a href="http://s1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/?action=view&amp;current=DSC_0214copy-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/DSC_0214copy-3.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/?action=view&amp;current=DSC_1707copycopy.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/DSC_1707copycopy.jpg" /></a> And sometimes, just keeping it simple makes all the difference. You don't always have to make it dramatic to give it the right look.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have any texture tips? Please share them!! :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://s1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/?action=view&amp;current=signature.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/KayNC53/signature.jpg" /></a></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/qLChJu0PeeY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10569406886823101278noreply@blogger.com4http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/adding-texture-to-your-photos.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-33497673380219423702012-09-18T00:00:00.000-07:002012-09-18T00:00:11.067-07:00Touch Up Tuesday<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Here is my before photo &amp;&nbsp;</b><b>after photo.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/beforeDSC_7684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/beforeDSC_7684.jpg" width="375" /></a><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/afterDSC_7684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/afterDSC_7684.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br />I edited with a clean edit in Lightroom. Brought into Photoshop and cropped closer. Then I used Florabellas actions and made her own individual action so I could easily edit all her photos the same. Then I just go to each photo and do little tweaks.<br /><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=193413&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/Ouv592f1IAM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com4http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/touch-up-tuesday_18.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-66664573960859908122012-09-16T00:00:00.000-07:002012-09-16T00:00:01.412-07:00Show & Tell : Orange | Self Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Show:&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/blogP8270433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/blogP8270433.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tell:</b>&nbsp;I am stretching it a bit this week<span style="line-height: 22px;">. This is sort of orange and sort of a self portrait. ha ha. &nbsp;</span></div><br />&nbsp;Next weeks theme is Trails. You can see all the themes <a href="http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2009/10/show-and-tell-photo-challenges.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=192777&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/UlP_toeQr9A" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com3http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/show-tell-orange-self-portrait.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-85178887213161552662012-09-14T00:00:00.000-07:002012-09-14T00:00:03.715-07:00how to shoot three kidsI have TONS of pictures of my kids. I literally have hundreds (dare I say thousands?) of Charlie. But I have VERY few pictures of all three of my kids together. Which makes me sad when I have a fabulous deal on a canvas I want to order. (Which I do). So this week I dragged them all down to the beach near our house for a photo shoot.<br /><br />It didn't really work. Mostly because Charlie was being a butt. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAmb1mMuYjg/UEoHv-uMabI/AAAAAAAAHOU/n-J_xQszjJU/s1600/09+04+12_069_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAmb1mMuYjg/UEoHv-uMabI/AAAAAAAAHOU/n-J_xQszjJU/s640/09+04+12_069_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bY4rMBcEUZQ/UEoHwVw6G9I/AAAAAAAAHOc/9iHGaW5NeNU/s1600/09+04+12_110_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bY4rMBcEUZQ/UEoHwVw6G9I/AAAAAAAAHOc/9iHGaW5NeNU/s640/09+04+12_110_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_fIXKhVgAs/UEoHywvOy9I/AAAAAAAAHOk/917YrVbUqoc/s1600/09+04+12_075_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_fIXKhVgAs/UEoHywvOy9I/AAAAAAAAHOk/917YrVbUqoc/s640/09+04+12_075_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then I came home, and asked my blog friends: How do you shoot "canvas worthy" photos?<br /><br />Here are the responses I got:<br /><br /><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12067468928499906171" rel="nofollow">Adrienne</a></span> said...<br />Go candid? Or get a friend to shoot them....mine were often better behaved for people they didn't call mom!!<br /><br /><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15965450346393093534" rel="nofollow">Faith</a></span> said...<br />I don't have any tips for getting all three to cooperate - it's HARD!! My tip is this: when you take the picture make sure to leave plenty of negative space around the edges of your composition. If you frame your shot too tight you won't have room for the wrap.<br /><br /><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02226619243439704756" rel="nofollow">Sandra Kohlmann</a></span> said...<br />I can't even get two to look in the same direction and smile at the same time, let alone three. I have found only one photographer who can get great shots of my girls, so I rely on her.<br /><br /><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06662172783076354604" rel="nofollow">Tara</a></span> said...<br />that second is totally canvas worthy! :) I love not perfect photos! Its such a true struggle of families while taking pictures! :)<br /><br /><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10103572563333198645" rel="nofollow">Mary</a></span> said...<br />It looks like the 2 oldest children were willing to have thier photo taken by you. I would bribe Charlie. Yup bribe him!<br /><br />I ended up relying on Lightroom presets to make an otherwise basic photo a little more "canvas worthy". I think the editing makes it look a little more timeless. I mean it's not perfect, but it'll do. What do you think? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYnk3VGYTbI/UFEAgfr0kKI/AAAAAAAAHRY/00SgnOIKbdU/s1600/09+04+12_079_web-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYnk3VGYTbI/UFEAgfr0kKI/AAAAAAAAHRY/00SgnOIKbdU/s640/09+04+12_079_web-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://andthen-shesnapped.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j52/drexgal/and%20then%20she%20snapped/xoxorachel3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/nznrRdLIP9c" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11653810052122146804noreply@blogger.com7http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-to-shoot-three-kids.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-45359511549030239462012-09-12T00:00:00.000-07:002012-09-12T00:00:10.130-07:00The Importance of Insurance<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SDuuiNakE3c/UCpOFXzqs6I/AAAAAAABxn8/eOCm9emCVo4/s49/pinit.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Take a look at this image below. &nbsp;These are the most expensive items in my camera bag. &nbsp;It obviously doesn't include things like tripods, props &amp; all the little things that go along with this hobby that seems to always have a wish list attached to it.&nbsp;</div><br /><img align="center" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hgm44Kc11-Y/T3DuUL8VPrI/AAAAAAABTCQ/QiZBtA1vvQ0/s200/copyright.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="insurance for your gear" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpstzOuEKvg/UD6xDdxDlxI/AAAAAAAB0Kc/s6A8d49h7Gk/s1600/2012-08-29_copy-web-paper.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now imagine that you have all these things in your camera bag. &nbsp;It's sitting on the passenger seat of your vehicle. You get out- walk around- open the door &amp; the bag tips over &amp; all these things dump out on to the parking garage floor. &nbsp;How do you feel?? &nbsp;I know how I felt when it happened to me. My heart raced &amp; then fell into the pit of my stomach. &nbsp;I felt physically ill &amp; was then in tears until I could get up to the hotel room &amp; try out all my gear to make sure it was still in working order. By the grace of God it was all good.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Or think of this. &nbsp;You are setting up for a photo shoot with some kids. &nbsp;You have your bag- full of all these things sitting on the grass &amp; you are watching the kids as you are setting up your tripod. &nbsp;You turn back around- and your bag &amp; all your expensive equipment is gone. &nbsp;Someone swiped it. &nbsp;Devastating&nbsp;right??? &nbsp;This happened to my friend <b><u><a href="http://www.momtriedit.net/">Kim</a></u></b> &amp; when she told me- it sent a panic though my veins. Then she tells me that she has insurance &amp; all will be okay.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So of course I inquire about this insurance because when I first started my little collection in my bag I knew that I would have a hard time replacing it if something happened to it. &nbsp;I was originally told by my insurance that all they could offer me was that it was covered under my renter's policy. &nbsp;If there was a fire or theft- in the house- it would be covered. It wouldn't cover anything else. &nbsp;So Kim told me that she bought her policy through Shelter Insurance. &nbsp;I visited the website &amp; found that the kind I was looking for is called Personal Property&nbsp;Insurance&nbsp;or more often called Inland Marine&nbsp;Insurance. &nbsp;Basically any personal property that can be transported anywhere in the world fits into this category. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When I talked to them though they kept trying to get me to buy a renter's policy from them &amp; insisted that it would be covered under that. &nbsp;I realize that they don't make a whole lot from an Inland Marine policy so it's so much more desirable for them to up-sell me &nbsp;a renters policy. &nbsp;Once I let them know that I knew they were trying to sell me something that wouldn't cover anything I wanted they said that they could only sell me the Inland Marine policy in conjunction with another policy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So I went back to my broker- armed with all this knowledge I had just gained through all these calls &amp; asked for the Inland Marine policy. &nbsp;I told her what I wanted &amp; what I knew that it should cover. &nbsp;I am happy to say that ALL my gear is insured for $5000 (through Travelers Ins &amp; double what it would cost me to replace it all) &amp; it will only cost me $83/yr. &nbsp;Granted Kim was able to pick up her $6500 policy for $65/yr- but I have heard that NV has some of the highest insurance rates in the nation. So I am considering myself lucky. &nbsp;The best part is that it covers EVERYTHING. &nbsp;When I say everything- I mean drops, kids breaking something, falling in the pool, clumsiness, if it gets wet on an amusement park ride- WHATEVER. &nbsp;No deductible!! &nbsp;The only exclusion is wear &amp; tear, war, insect,&nbsp;vermin&nbsp;&amp; nuclear. The nuclear could be a minor issue living where I do- or if it goes through the screening at the airport &amp; it damages something that way- those things would not be covered. Other than that- I'm feeling very calm knowing that I have a little protection against things that could&nbsp;devastate&nbsp;me when it comes to my gear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look in to it!!! &nbsp;It&nbsp;offers&nbsp;great peace of mind!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SDuuiNakE3c/UCpOFXzqs6I/AAAAAAABxn8/eOCm9emCVo4/s49/pinit.jpg" /></a></div></div><img align="left" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFvXJZS7eYU/T0V2uKzJcpI/AAAAAAABLL0/V1E0IMkH7nQ/s200/Beachy%2520signature.png" style="border: 0;" /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/YO7jB5c1AdE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Gina Kleinworthhttps://plus.google.com/101628901608577637984noreply@blogger.com5http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-importance-of-insurance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-86257506889654683732012-09-11T00:00:00.000-07:002012-09-11T00:00:03.648-07:00Touch Up Tuesday<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Sorry guys I totally spaced on Show &amp; Tell Sunday. It has been crazy around here. So anyways link up your Show &amp; Tell Holiday photo or your Touch Up Tuesday. The most recent holiday was when we went to the beach for Labor Day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Here is my before photo.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/beforeDSC_6350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/beforeDSC_6350.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><b>&nbsp;Here is my after photo.</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/afterDSC_6350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/afterDSC_6350.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><br /></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br />I used Florabella's new colorplay actions. The Clean Base then Ocean Air and Perfect Color.<br /><br /><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=191126&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/JlKR1SqKoZI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com5http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/touch-up-tuesday_11.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-31729844148314617972012-09-10T03:00:00.000-07:002012-09-10T03:00:05.334-07:00Watermarking Instagram Pics<br />Today I wanted to talk about watermarking our Instagram pictures.&nbsp; Now, I'm not say you have to do it, I'm just saying that it can help keep your pictures safer.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtcRFd1Eyp8/UE03hFu0arI/AAAAAAAALFs/dnutsJoYJc8/s1600/paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtcRFd1Eyp8/UE03hFu0arI/AAAAAAAALFs/dnutsJoYJc8/s1600/paper.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>Some of you might know of a mom in our blogging community and how her Instagram picture of her son went viral.&nbsp; It was everywhere and her picture wasn't watermarked. (you can read Shawntae's story <a href="http://www.alittlekingandiblog.com/2012/08/my-son-is-on-t-shirt.html">here</a>)&nbsp; Her super cute picture is now being put on shirts sold in Brazil.&nbsp; That's scary. I have also heard of people stealing other people's pictures to use in Instagram contests. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4suirnjXrWc/UE1Z-gubQhI/AAAAAAAALF8/fQD2nYkAbiU/s1600/paper2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4suirnjXrWc/UE1Z-gubQhI/AAAAAAAALF8/fQD2nYkAbiU/s1600/paper2.jpg" /></a></div><br />Of course watermarking won't stop someone from stealing it if they really want it but it definitely can help slow them down. <br /><br /><b>Here are some helpful tips:</b><br />1. Download a watermark app. I use iWatermark but I've heard great things about eZy Watermark too. (both $1.99)<br /><br />2. I suggest using your Instagram name for your watermark but your blog url will work too.<br /><br />3. Use a clear font.&nbsp; Nothing crazy or hard to read.<br /><br />4. Place the watermark close to your subject.&nbsp; If it's placed in a corner or on the edge, it could be easy to remove.<br /><br />5.&nbsp; When using your watermark, make sure you can read the entire name.&nbsp; Meaning, make sure part of it doesn't blend into the picture. <br /><br />I wanted to share all the this because I know most of us are parents and I just want our kids to be safe. So tell me, do you watermark your IG pictures?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Summer</span><br /><a href="http://www.crosbiecrew.blogspot.com/">Crosbie Crew</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/9pCnGZEvu1c" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13198146206685666189noreply@blogger.com2http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/watermarking-instagram-pics.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-21866513545046473192012-09-07T06:49:00.000-07:002012-09-07T06:50:56.091-07:007 ways to jump-start a creative photography slump {awake new ideas within}Are you in a photography slump? Do you feel uninspired? We have all been there. It is perfectly normal to go through a dry spell in creativity. Give yourself some grace where creativity is concerned, because it can't be forced, but there are ways to jump start your creativity. Here are 7 different simple ways to get your inspiration in full gear.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9WNtB9dfaA/UEn2f8KUWFI/AAAAAAAABtQ/Y3yhFAfVNac/s1600/bs44+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9WNtB9dfaA/UEn2f8KUWFI/AAAAAAAABtQ/Y3yhFAfVNac/s640/bs44+(1+of+1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>1. Vary your artistic interests.</b><br /><br />Are you gifted in the kitchen? Throw a dinner party and invite creative people who inspire you. Have you been curious about a musical instrument? Take a lesson. Does painting move your heart and hands in perfect rhythm? Get out those paints and make art. Have you always wanted to take a pottery class but never had the time? Make time. Do something with your hands. Involve your mind. And let new creative measures run rampant.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crXDycTIQyc/UEn4-gJ4tkI/AAAAAAAABuc/F9nKJl5xp2A/s1600/bs12+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crXDycTIQyc/UEn4-gJ4tkI/AAAAAAAABuc/F9nKJl5xp2A/s640/bs12+(1+of+1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><b>2. Keep a pen and paper on you at all times.</b><br /><br />I'm a firm believer in writing down ideas the minute they pop up. If you don't have a pen &amp; paper then text yourself or text your significant other. I'm sure they'll understand your creative quirkiness. Creativity can present itself in the most ordinary ways and if you document what leads you it will make for better picture taking later. Remember that you are being led in a direction for a reason and if you have that reminder of creativity at your fingertips it will be easier for you to be inspired at a later date. Budding ideas will bloom simply by keeping a creativity journal as well. I've used this method over and over and it never fails. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5MoSfgX9hA/UEn4FBaKewI/AAAAAAAABuQ/30JjWvCR9l4/s1600/bs26+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5MoSfgX9hA/UEn4FBaKewI/AAAAAAAABuQ/30JjWvCR9l4/s640/bs26+(1+of+1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><b>3. Take a photo-walk</b><br /><br />There are plenty of groups that take photo-walks. If you utilize <a href="http://www.meetup.com/">Meetup</a>, a social gathering website, you might find several in your area. However if you don't feel comfortable joining a group you can ask a friend to go on a photo walk with you.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fM0yG7V6YE/UEn3QUlpWsI/AAAAAAAABts/_S29qiNWvtA/s1600/bs96+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fM0yG7V6YE/UEn3QUlpWsI/AAAAAAAABts/_S29qiNWvtA/s640/bs96+(1+of+1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>4. Listen to your favorite music</b><br /><br />Look at some of your old favorite cd or vinyl albums. Is there art that inspires? Now pop in the music to whatever source you use and describe the mood? Does a word or a line strike up an idea for photography? Does the song or the album beg you to go outside and take pictures of rays of sunlight? Follow your bliss! Music is very moving. It inspires, and washes clean the cobwebs of creativity-slump.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzy3iZ-AzlM/UEn3rSelgyI/AAAAAAAABt8/jtev2sbItcM/s1600/bs115+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzy3iZ-AzlM/UEn3rSelgyI/AAAAAAAABt8/jtev2sbItcM/s640/bs115+(1+of+1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>5. Don't look around blogs or Flickr</b><br /><br />It is tempting to stalk cool photography blogs or facebook for ideas, but you want <i>your </i>images to have your voice and not another artist. To keep it fresh look up the classics. Check out the work of Brian Duffy, Jay Maisel, Annie Liebovitz, Jerry Uelsman, Robert Capa, Carol Guzy, Dorthea Lange, and of course Ansel Adams. All of these artists have contributed moving <i>original pieces of art.</i> Study their images and see if it creates a feeling in your own heart. And then capture it in a whole different way.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L6bReRk2Bvo/UEn31LzZgzI/AAAAAAAABuA/_nFKcwykeho/s1600/bs8+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L6bReRk2Bvo/UEn31LzZgzI/AAAAAAAABuA/_nFKcwykeho/s640/bs8+(1+of+1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>6. Photograph what you love.</b><br /><br />Sometimes it is best not to plan. Just take pictures of what you love. Really it is that simple! I promise you. I've gotten out of photography slumps many a time just by taking pictures that I really want to take.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4VXt1tklRA/UEn38dG8EII/AAAAAAAABuI/aLNKN4MOBTE/s1600/bs77+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4VXt1tklRA/UEn38dG8EII/AAAAAAAABuI/aLNKN4MOBTE/s640/bs77+(1+of+1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>7. Learn a new technique.&nbsp; </b><br /><br />Sites like Paper Heart Camera are a fantastic resource to find the newest techniques in photography. It is a simple way to keep your photography fresh and fun. And it will also lead you into other areas of discovery.<br /><br />I hope this helps in jump starting your creativity wings and if you just try of these easy tips you may find yourself spreading your wings and flying through new ideas for your own photography. Photography slumps can feel so sluggish. But when you put a fresh spin on a inspired idea you'll be amazed at how fast that slump evaporates in thin air.<br /><br /><br />Written by Alita of <a href="http://www.alitajewel.blogspot.com/">Alita Jewel Treasures </a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/PWLBQyFD7lA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Alitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254210662317636749noreply@blogger.com9http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/7-ways-to-jump-start-creative.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-31691932959464679882012-09-06T00:20:00.000-07:002012-09-06T00:20:07.658-07:00Free Autumn Web Board and Facebook Cover<br />I will have to be honest, I am putting this post together last minute. So of you know I am due to have a baby any day now, and well I just completely forgot that my turn was up to post!<br /><br />So I quickly whipped up a couple of Freebies for you this morning. I decided to give a try at making a web board to share with you guys.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UDRuCawqI0k/UEhNSi8ViKI/AAAAAAAAApo/dSuIf7Uc0WE/s1600/Autumn+Web+Board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UDRuCawqI0k/UEhNSi8ViKI/AAAAAAAAApo/dSuIf7Uc0WE/s640/Autumn+Web+Board.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here is an autumn themed PSD that uses clipping masks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And just because....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFjCDYDN8XY/UEhNsKOncMI/AAAAAAAAApw/2IT_YLvpDWg/s1600/Autumn+Facebook+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFjCDYDN8XY/UEhNsKOncMI/AAAAAAAAApw/2IT_YLvpDWg/s640/Autumn+Facebook+Cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">a facebook cover PSD to match :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These can be downloaded from <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?l9ra5cvxmyid4em" target="_blank">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cheers!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Desirae R</div><br /><br /> <br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/dab7ATvERk4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sommerfugl Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06089776505030830061noreply@blogger.com6http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/free-autumn-web-board-and-facebook-cover.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-77770586916971084072012-09-04T04:29:00.000-07:002012-09-04T04:30:29.812-07:00Touch Up Tuesday<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday we went to the beach and had so much fun. You can see more of our photos <a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/carsyn/obx-2012/">here</a>. I even did some hilarious GIFs. I can't wait to go back to the beach. The boys LOVED it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Here is my before photo.</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/beforeDSC_6186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/beforeDSC_6186.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall an okay SOOC but not what I wanted.</b></div><b><br /></b><b>&nbsp;Here is my after photo.</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/afterDSC_6186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/afterDSC_6186.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br />I used Florabella's new colorplay actions. The clean base then Summer Peach. I did brighten the shadows a bit more.<br /><br /><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=188946&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/Wr5BNHl8avo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com5http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/touch-up-tuesday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-32840501320180208962012-09-03T20:44:00.002-07:002012-09-03T20:48:43.124-07:00ORBS OF FUN<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42198609@N02/7926608604/" title="DSC_0328_edited-1 by my [BOYS]terous Life, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0328_edited-1" height="531" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7926608604_8f6ef7316e_c.jpg" width="800" /></a> <br /><br />You know, you would really think that I would be more prepared.... being that I blew off my article last month, thus&nbsp;giving me two full&nbsp;months to prepare something exciting to share with you folks.&nbsp; <br /><br />But no, noooooo.... here I sit still indecisive about which direction to go with a photography related post.&nbsp; I have a zillion ideas.... yet not one wants to lament itself here in blogland.&nbsp; <br /><br />So, I'm just&nbsp;going to run with something near and dear to me... right now.&nbsp;&nbsp; Something that I can't seem to stop myself from photographing.&nbsp; Bokeh... orbs and orbs of Bokeh.&nbsp; <br /><br />Let's start out with the boring stuff.&nbsp;&nbsp; What is Bokeh?&nbsp; <br /><br />This seemed like a pretty good definition to me (taken from <a href="http://blog.instagram.com/post/14281811916/photo-tips-bokeh">HERE</a>.)<br /><br /><em>The word “bokeh” is a derivative of the Japanese word boke, which means “blur”. In photography this refers to the blurred area of the photograph. Basic bokeh photographs feature an in-focus foreground with a blurred dreamy haze-like background. When coupled with out of focus lights, this blurry background can create an illusion of large orbs.</em> <br /><br />So, to achieve this effect, you need a blurry background.&nbsp; Which&nbsp;is actually pretty easy if you&nbsp;set your aperture as WIDE as it will go.&nbsp; (Which means you want it at the smallest number that your lens can handle.)&nbsp; Most of my photos are taken with my aperture set at 1.8.&nbsp;&nbsp; By setting your aperture as wide as it will go, you are creating a shallow depth of field.&nbsp; Meaning that anything that isn't focused on will be blurry.&nbsp; BINGO.&nbsp; We've got blur!<br /><br />Now, to get those magical orbs, we need need to have lights in the blurred area.&nbsp; Which doesn't have to mean lights in the electrical sense.&nbsp; You can find plenty of "lights" out in nature.&nbsp; Anything that catches light can also create those orbs.&nbsp; <br /><br />So, here's what I have been using lately.&nbsp; When I stumble down my stairs at 7am I notice that (A) the sun is just&nbsp;rising&nbsp;over the houses&nbsp;and&nbsp;(B)&nbsp;our sprinklers have just turned off.&nbsp; This combination creates the most magnificent sparkly feast-for-the-eyes you ever did see.&nbsp; And all that lovely sparkle, when blurred out, makes BOKEH ORBS.&nbsp;&nbsp;So,&nbsp;before I've even had my coffee I find myself out in my yard, camera in hand, shooting away at flowers and grasses.&nbsp; <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42198609@N02/7926596248/" title="DSC_0336_edited-1 by my [BOYS]terous Life, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0336_edited-1" height="531" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7926596248_a8f8fc9a8a_c.jpg" width="800" /></a> <br /><br />The effect just never ceases to amaze me.&nbsp; It has a magical allure or something... that just pulls me right in!&nbsp; <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42198609@N02/7927099484/" title="DSC_0483_edited-1 by my [BOYS]terous Life, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0483_edited-1" height="531" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/7927099484_189bb13a00_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />Spider webs can make for interesting bokeh filled&nbsp;images.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42198609@N02/7927112406/" title="DSC_0465_edited-1 by my [BOYS]terous Life, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0465_edited-1" height="555" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7927112406_67942ef345_c.jpg" width="800" /></a> <br /><br />You can even achieve the effect just playing with a boring old garden hose or a faucet in your kitchen.&nbsp; <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42198609@N02/7927076408/" title="DSC_0560_edited-1 by my [BOYS]terous Life, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0560_edited-1" height="531" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8296/7927076408_17593ddbb1_c.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42198609@N02/7927087266/" title="DSC_0546_edited-1 by my [BOYS]terous Life, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0546_edited-1" height="526" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/7927087266_c565d9de1a_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />So, to recap..... if you want to get bokeh orbs you need:&nbsp; <br />1.&nbsp; BLUR (Use a wide aperture&nbsp;i.e. low number)<br />2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Make sure there&nbsp;"lights" in the blur.&nbsp; I captured all of these images&nbsp;using water droplets as "lights."<br />3.&nbsp; Back lighting also&nbsp;helps to achieve this effect.<br /><br /><br />I hope that helps!&nbsp; <br />I took most of these photos in the past couple days.&nbsp; But, I have been obsessed with bokeh orbs for a long time.&nbsp; I even started a flickr set a while back for bokeh photos.&nbsp; If you want to see more examples, check it out <strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42198609@N02/sets/72157629485430704/">HERE</a></strong>.<br /><br />Hope you had a great holiday weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Thanks for reading along -<br />Brooke<br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/5_z3Vw6Bx_k" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Brookenoreply@blogger.com8http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/orbs-of-fun.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-14122248194419408122012-09-02T00:00:00.000-07:002012-09-02T00:00:08.373-07:00Show & Tell : Center Of...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Show:&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/blogP1010078-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/blogP1010078-2.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tell:</b>&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 22px;">I saw this writing spider making the center of her web. It was so neat to watch.&nbsp;</span></div><br />&nbsp;Next weeks theme is Holiday. You can see all the themes <a href="http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2009/10/show-and-tell-photo-challenges.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=188180&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><br /><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/WW7asfDY4fE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com7http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/09/show-tell-center-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-47854279074900103662012-08-28T00:00:00.000-07:002012-08-28T00:00:04.437-07:00Touch Up Tuesday<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Here is my before &amp; after photo.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/beforeafter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/beforeafter1.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br />I used Florabella's new colorplay actions. The clean base then Summer Peach. I also cropped it closer and cloned out the outlet and cord. If you want to see more photos from this session check out my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahhalsteadphotography" target="_blank">Photography Facebook Page</a>.<br /><br /><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=186435&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/XHT8tNrZC78" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com4http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/touch-up-tuesday_28.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-36219437224840205612012-08-26T06:39:00.002-07:002012-08-26T06:40:15.402-07:00Show & Tell : School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I took this with the E-PL3 that Olympus sent me to try out. I<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">&nbsp;will also be trying out the OM-D at the ClickinWalk that&nbsp;</span><a href="http://serendipityissweet.com/" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Melissa</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">&nbsp;and I are hosting in Norfolk, VA. If you want to join us and get a chance to try out the Olympus OM-D make sure you&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.clickinmoms.com/clickinwalk/location/clickinwalk-norfok/" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">sign up</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Show:&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/webP1010126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/webP1010126.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>Tell:</b>&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">On Friday we went out to Chickfila, they were doing a stuff the patrol car with&nbsp;</span><strong style="line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">school</strong><span style="line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;supplies. After we ate I got him his icecream cone. I can not believe that he will be starting</span><strong style="line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;school</strong><span style="line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;in less then two weeks. Eeekkk! I am ready for Fall but also feel like Summer went so quickly!</span></span><br /><br />&nbsp;Next weeks theme is Center of... You can see all the themes <a href="http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2009/10/show-and-tell-photo-challenges.html">here</a>.<br /><br /> <!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=185946&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --><br /><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/KDn7fjMENNE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com1http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/show-tell-school.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-32822846738472274012012-08-22T22:48:00.000-07:002012-08-22T22:48:50.085-07:00A Clean Edit {PicMonkey Tutorial}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbl5FH8UgUw/UDWvEzFVO4I/AAAAAAAAAEs/_sRCPJHjAbc/s1600/Pic+Monkey+Clean+Edit+1+700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbl5FH8UgUw/UDWvEzFVO4I/AAAAAAAAAEs/_sRCPJHjAbc/s1600/Pic+Monkey+Clean+Edit+1+700.jpg" /></a></div><br />I know there are many many people using PicMonkey these days for editing photos, especially bloggers. So, I thought I'd give a little tutorial on how to do just a basic "clean" edit using this <a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">FREE online photo editor</a>. There are a lot of features that may eventually be features that you have to register and pay for, but much of what I'm going to use are basic and will hopefully always be free.<br /><br /><br /><ol><li>Open your photo for editing.&nbsp;</li><li>I initially resized my photo because I shoot in RAW and the file is HUGE! So you can do this by just going to <b>Resize</b>&nbsp;at the bottom of the left hand column and typing about 3200px for the long side of the photo. This will allow you to safely print up to an 8x10.&nbsp;</li><li>I start with correcting my White Balance (sometimes I crop first, but didn't for this photo). &nbsp;Choose <b>Colors </b>&gt; <b>Neutral Picker</b>&gt; take the eye dropper and click on a neutral/white area in your photo. You may have to do this a couple of times to get the right balance. Then you can warm it up if you feel like it needs it but sliding the <b>Saturation </b>bar to the right. Click <b>Apply</b> (this will be for every part of the edit, so I will not actually say that for each step). If at some point you've applied an edit and decide you want to go back there is an undo button just above your photo as you can see in the screen shot below.</li></ol><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FxWHQD5W8VE/UDW2ic41CoI/AAAAAAAAAFE/wso2OUcxsIE/s1600/paperheartcamera+picmonkey+tutorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FxWHQD5W8VE/UDW2ic41CoI/AAAAAAAAAFE/wso2OUcxsIE/s1600/paperheartcamera+picmonkey+tutorial.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">4. Once I have my colors corrected, I begin correcting the skin (if needed). Choose the Lipstick to reveal the </span><b style="text-align: left;">Touch up </b><span style="text-align: left;">tools. You are going to want to be VERY careful here as it can get out of hand fast! (especially if you are editing yourself) ;) You don't want it to look too fake or "touched up". What I wanted to accomplish here is to remove unwanted blemishes or shadows causing an unnatural appearance.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Skin Correction:&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><b>Airbrush </b>tool set to <i>natural, </i>adjust brush size, and fade to between 70 and 90 percent. Brush cheeks, under eyes, and other areas of bare skin if needed. You can always fade it more after, but if you need two different settings you'll have to "apply" then start again.&nbsp;</li><li>Choose the <b>Blush Boost </b>tool. I used this here only because after getting rid of the shadow made her look a little washed out and it was a very overcast, dreary evening. I brushed a very light peach/pink onto her cheeks and faded to my liking.&nbsp;</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7. <b>Teeth Whitening:</b> I use this tool for well teeth whitening, but in this case I used it for <b>eye whitening.</b> In many photos you will find that an overcast or shadow may cause the whites of the eyes to look a little grey or blue. I am not a big fan of PicMonkey's Eye Brightening tool. So, I use a combo of teeth whitening and <b>Dodge </b>in the <b>Effects </b>section. Zoom in and brush the whites of the eyes desaturating the tint. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8. <b>Effects</b>: For a clean edit, we won't use any of the real effects that are offered here, but the <b>Advanced </b>editing tools found at the bottom of that section.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhxRDismTz0/UDW2h7LgdBI/AAAAAAAAAE8/oj1xePfErdw/s1600/paperheartcamera+picmonkey+tutorial+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhxRDismTz0/UDW2h7LgdBI/AAAAAAAAAE8/oj1xePfErdw/s1600/paperheartcamera+picmonkey+tutorial+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>First, I chose&nbsp;<b>Dodg</b>e.&nbsp;Her eyes,&nbsp;especially the irises, are pretty dark so we want to lighten them up a little. I set it to mid tones and just began to brush. I had to redo this several times to get a look that I liked. Remember natural is best for &nbsp;a clean edit (you can add effect later).&nbsp;</li><li>Next, I chose&nbsp;<b>Burn&nbsp;</b>and made my brush pretty small. I went over the outline of her face, hair, and dress around the neck. This I used it on her lashes and lips to add a little depth.</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">9.&nbsp;<b>Crop, Resize for Blog, Watermark using the "P", Save!</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhLcJkJUvDI/UDWvEb4KniI/AAAAAAAAAEk/3_0K0N-4o-I/s1600/Before+and+After+PHC+082312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhLcJkJUvDI/UDWvEb4KniI/AAAAAAAAAEk/3_0K0N-4o-I/s1600/Before+and+After+PHC+082312.jpg" /></a></div><br />That's it! I hope this was helpful. Please let me know if you use it. You can find how I used PicMonkey to do a Black and White conversion <a href="http://www.behindthecameraanddreaming.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. You can find my model <a href="http://www.magnoliamama.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. And you can find me <a href="http://www.behindthecameraandreaming.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/stephaniesclark" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/stephaniesclark" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />XO<br />Stephanie Clark<br /><a href="http://behindthecameraanddreaming.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.behindthecameraanddreaming.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Behind the Camera and Dreaming" border="0" src="http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb414/stephaniesclark/Button-May.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/Z5nMFRUzzEI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Stephanie Clarkhttps://plus.google.com/109602470693386893339noreply@blogger.com3http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-clean-edit-picmonkey-tutorial.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-26864355320241160522012-08-22T00:00:00.000-07:002012-08-22T00:00:07.136-07:00Memories of Places we've lived<br />I was lucky enough this summer, to be able to spend some time visiting my family in England and the house that I (mostly) grew up in. The garden at that house had grown a lot since I was last there, I have photos of my son playing in that garden when it was a little smaller (so was he!) and there are photos of my siblings and me playing in the same garden when we were children too.<br /><br />I looked over some old photographs while I was there, of houses my parents had lived in before I was born and of places that I lived but barely remember as an adult. I began thinking about how my husband, son and I have lived in so many different places together and how important it can be to have memories of not just our fun outings but of our every day lives in the neighbourhoods, cities and countries that we've lived in.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bumblesandlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DSC_0092-2BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bumblesandlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DSC_0092-2BLOG.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing outside our Chicago apartment building</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Even if you haven't moved a lot, or don't intend to leave the place you're currently living in, you can take photos of your surroundings and look back on how they develop as your children grow older. In your backyard, trees grow taller and in your home taste and styles change over time. In your neighbourhood people come and go, your surroundings and perspective on them grows season by season.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5214025663_9db190878c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5214025663_9db190878c_z.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A street nearby to where we lived in Germany</td></tr></tbody></table>These photos serve as a wonderful nostalgia to me, of the places we've lived and the fun we had together. Photos from Germany remind me of my son as a baby and the walks we'd take together through those winding streets. In time, photos I take of our neighbourhood in Chicago will remind me of other milestones and when my son is much older I'll be able to share all of these photos and memories with him, he in turn might be able to share them with his own children one day.<br /><br />So when you're snapping photos of your kids at play, either inside your home or outside, don't forget to zoom out or step back and take a wider shot of their surroundings too.<br /><br /> <br /><a href="http://www.bumblesandlight.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bumblesandlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bl250button.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;Written by Rebecca of <a href="http://www.bumblesandlight.com/">Bumbles &amp; Light</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/MTbcC2rWpjQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>satakielihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06970513257350487870noreply@blogger.com4Chicago, IL, USA41.8781136 -87.629798241.6889521 -87.94565519999999 42.067275099999996 -87.3139412http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/memories-of-places-weve-lived.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-65485161757613955242012-08-21T00:00:00.000-07:002012-08-21T00:00:07.435-07:00Touch Up Tuesday<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Here is my before &amp; after photo.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/beforeafterDSC_4429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/beforeafterDSC_4429.jpg" width="800" /></a></div></div><br />I used Florabella's classic workflow actions on this photo. Used the Classic Bright and the classic color. Cloned out the spot on his head and sharpened for the web.<br /><br /> <!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=184615&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --> <a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/OlnRA5uh8JA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com3http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/touch-up-tuesday_21.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-32975976513526753582012-08-19T00:00:00.000-07:002012-08-19T00:00:05.442-07:00Show & Tell : Family {Self-Portrait}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Show:&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blogDSC_4558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blogDSC_4558.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><b>Tell:</b> I had been wanting to do a family photo like this. Didn't come out as I imagined it but thought it was cute.<br /><br /><br />&nbsp; <script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=184031&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script> <a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/2nsu_gGx_8g" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com3http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/show-tell-family-self-portrait.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-67039307644226918522012-08-16T07:00:00.000-07:002012-08-16T17:40:37.440-07:00Shooting Sharp - Tips to Get Tack Sharp Shots<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Today I thought I'd share some simple tips for getting sharp focus. In photography circles there is always a lot of buzz about getting tack sharp images. As a newbie, I was sometimes mystified by how the images I saw online were so crisp and sharp and mine were, well, not. I was awed by those shiny portrait eyes that seemed to pop off my screen. After much reading, googling and practicing, I uncovered some of the secrets of the pros.&nbsp;So, here are a few tips I've learned for getting sharp focus.</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><b>1. Use a tripod</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;">Okay, I'll admit that I often skip this one. I'm too lazy to take it out and set it up most of the time. I'm also usually chasing my kids around and tripods are not exactly made for that task. But, if you are shooting a macro shot, landscape or posed portrait it will be a tremendous help! Any little bit of camera shake will effect your focus. Just do it!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><b>2. Use a remote or wireless trigger</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;">These devices remove all chances of shake as you don´t have to touch the camera. You can most likely find a remote compatible with your camera for under $20. I got one on amazon for about 10 bucks. Or, you can use the self timer. This is also a great way to get in some of those photos yourself. You don't want to be the family member missing from every photo in your archives!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><b>3. Check &nbsp;your shutter speed</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;">Always make sure that your shutter speed is set higher than the focal length of your lens. For example, if you shoot with a 50 mm lens, set your shutter speed at least 1/60 or above. If you shoot with 85 mm lens, set your shutter speed at 1/100 or above, etc. And if you are skipping tip #1 and hand holding your camera, anything below 1/80 will be tough to keep steady. &nbsp;If you are taking photos of kids, you'll need a faster speed to avoid motion blur. I always try to stay above 1/125 for squirmy subjects. Actually, since I'm lazy about using a tripod, I try to stay above 1/125 most of the time, which brings me to #4.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><b>4. Up that ISO if you need to!</b>&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;">It is more difficult to achieve tack sharp focus in a low light situation. If you don't have much light to work with, don't be afraid to increase your ISO. Most cameras these days handle higher ISO's pretty well. Get to know what yours can handle with practice. And remember that a properly exposed image will have less noise, even at a higher ISO, than one that has been underexposed and lightened up in post processing.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><b>5. Shoot with a prime&nbsp;</b></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Prime lenses are known to be faster and sharper. They are generally more pricey but worth every penny in my opinion. The nifty fifty, 50 mm 1.8 is an inexpensive choice that offers speed and sharpness. The 50 1.4 is a little more expensive, but one of my favorite and most used lenses. It's sharp, fast, small, and delivers dreamy bokeh.</div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><b>6. Check your F-stop</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;">If you increase the number of your f-stop, more things will be in focus as you'll have more depth of field to work with. Shooting wide open not only eaves little room for error, but most lenses aren't as sharp at their widest apertures. If you want super sharp images you are probably better off to stop down a bit to a smaller aperture.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><b>7. Toggle your focus point</b><br /><span style="text-align: center;">Most DSLR cameras have a button to tell the camera how and where to focus. Check your camera's manual if you don't know how to do this. For portraits it is best to focus on the subject closest eye (or between the eyes if they are straight on) for close ups, and on the face for full body shots. If you are shooting a group, choose a subject in the middle of the group (check that your aperture is wide enough to keep the whole group in focus too!).</span><br /><br /><b>8. Choose AI Servo or AF-C</b><br />Your camera has different settings for how it will focus. Read your manual to get a better understanding of how this works. They are called different things on Canons and Nikons but work pretty much the same way. Most DSLR's have three options here: one for a subject that won't move (single shot or single servo), one for a subject that might move (Al focus) and one for moving objects (Al servo or AF-Continuous).</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;">Most photographers I know (especially those shooting children) choose Al servo or AF-C so that the camera will track focus when the shutter is pressed half way (or the AF-ON button pressed) even if your subject moves</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><b>9. Try back button focusing.&nbsp;</b>Most DSLR's have an option for separating your focus from your shutter release. You can designate a button on the back of your camera to control focus, usually the AF-On button. When you press this button it locks focus and then you press your shutter button when you are ready to record the image. It takes a little getting used to, but many photographer's swear by it for sharp images. My advice is to check your manual (or google "how to back button focus" for your camera model) to set it up. Then give it a try for a couple of weeks to see if it's for you.&nbsp;</div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px;"><b>10. Sharpen...a&nbsp;<i>little</i>.&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;After following all of the above tips, you can sharpen in post processing, but easy does it!<b>&nbsp;</b>I like my images (especially portraits) to be pretty natural so I try to avoid over-processing them. But I do sometimes add a little sharpening to the eyes in Lightroom or Photoshop to help them pop. Keep in mind, if your focus is off when you click the shutter, then extra sharpening in post-processing won't fix the image. There are about a bazillion actions out there to add selective sharpening to eyes, brighten irises, and make those catchlights sparkly. But beware of creepy overdone eyes! Too much is definitely a bad thing.&nbsp;<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Remember to keep these tips in mind as you shoot, and you'll be on your way to some snazzy sharp images in no time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUg4lCofpOk/UBn5UDjkJ0I/AAAAAAAAKvI/MjnlRxTd28E/s1600/sharp-(1-of-1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUg4lCofpOk/UBn5UDjkJ0I/AAAAAAAAKvI/MjnlRxTd28E/s640/sharp-(1-of-1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="http://s1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb475/gracelovesthebeatles/?action=view&amp;current=signature2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb475/gracelovesthebeatles/signature2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/wo1MV3sS55I" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Melissa Richhttps://plus.google.com/114123942406158225862noreply@blogger.com8http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/shooting-sharp-tips-to-get-tack-sharp.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496492614573676098.post-58197140407133253352012-08-14T05:20:00.001-07:002012-08-14T05:21:04.962-07:00Touch Up Tuesday<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Here is my before & after photo.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/beforeafter.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/beforeafter.jpg" width="819" /></a></div><br />Today we are talking about clean editing photos for <a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/photography/tutorial-tuesday-clean-portrait-editing/">Tutorial Tuesday</a>. If all else fails use editing. <!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=182756&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script><!-- end InLinkz script --> <br /><br /><a href="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://sarahhalstead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sarahsig.jpg" width="200" /></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PaperHeartCamera/~4/i6d58QBmWMI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Sarah Halsteadnoreply@blogger.com2http://paperheartcamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/touch-up-tuesday_14.html